Students to help build homes for Haitians

Coastal Carolina University will launch an effort Friday aimed at building and shipping 1,001 modular homes to earthquake-ravaged Haiti.

"Shelter is one of the most urgent needs of the Haitian people in the aftermath of this terrible tragedy," Coastal president David DeCenzo said. "We encourage everyone in the Grand Strand community to contribute to this project. It will save lives."

Students will work in shifts from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Coastal to build sections of the prefabricated homes, which will be shipped to Haiti. Organizers are also seeking financial donations.

A "Rally for Relief" will be held at the university from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring entertainment by the school's steel drum band, food and games.

The Waccamaw Community Foundation will manage donations. Checks can be made out to the Waccamaw Community Foundation for the Shelter Haiti Fund.

Professor to give lecture on Lincoln

Eric Foner, the DeWitt Clinton Professor of History at Columbia University, will discuss Abraham Lincoln and slavery Thursday at the University of South Carolina.

Foner's lecture, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Gambrell Hall auditorium. It is sponsored by USC's Department of History and the Institute for Southern Studies.

Foner has written extensively about history and race relations.

His most recent book, "Our Lincoln: New Perspectives on Lincoln and His World," was published in 2008.

Black History Month events at Benedict

Benedict College is closing Black History Month this week with a series of events.

- Monday - The school will hold its Mr. and Miss School of Honors Pagaent at the Ponder Fine Arts Theater at 6 p.m. Students will compete based on their academic performance, speaking skills and creative artistry.

- Tuesday - Benedict's School of Honors will hold an induction ceremony at Antisdel Chapel at 11 a.m.

A resume-writing and math workshop also is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Learning Resources Center.

- Wednesday - Events include a discussion of African- American books and history at the N.A. Jenkins Board Room at noon.

- Thursday - Honors students will clean the yards of local senior citizens from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. More community service work is planned for Friday.

- Saturday - Benedict will hold its Harambee Festival at the Benjamin E. Mays Gymnasium from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The festival will include health screenings, food, music and art.

- Sunday - A worship service and a gospel choir performance are scheduled at Antisdel Chapel at 11 a.m. and at the Mays gym at 5 p.m.

- Wayne Washington

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